ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
Package to Support MSMEs Sector
To address the regular working capital requirement of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises  the Government has taken initiatives under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Package which inter-alia includes measures such as  Rs. 5.00 Lakh Crore under Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme  for businesses, including MSMEs. The validity period of the scheme has been extended till 31.03.2023;  PM Street Vendor's Atma Nirbhar Nidhi  Scheme to facilitate collateral free working capital loan to street vendors.
In addition of the above, MSMEs have also been supported for working capital assistance by the ongoing schemes & measures i.e.  Credit Guarantee Scheme  to strengthen credit delivery system and to facilitate the flow of credit to the Micro and Small Enterprise sector without the hassles of collateral and third party guarantee up to a maximum of Rs. 200 lakh;  Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana  which extends collateral free loans upto Rs.10 lakh to individuals to enable them to set up or expand their business activities. As per Gazette Notification dated 8th November, 2018, it is mandatory for all Central Government Ministries / Departments/ CPSUs to procure at least 25% of their annual procurement from MSEs including 4% from MSEs owned by SC/ST entrepreneur and 3% from MSEs owned by women entrepreneur. Micro and Small Enterprises, quoting price within price band of L1+15 % are allowed to supply a portion of requirement by bringing down their price to L1 price under public procurement policy. In order to address the uncertainties and unhealthy competition from corporate giants, 358 items are exclusively reserved for manufacture by Micro & Small Enterprises; and No global tenders for procurement up to Rs. 200 crore.
This reply was given by the Minister of State for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises, Shri Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
Ministry of Defence
DRDO's contribution in the development of Defence Equipments
Defence Research and Development Organisation  develops systems/equipments for the Armed Forces in various technology domains. Value of systems/ products/ technologies developed by DRDO and inducted into the Services or in the process of induction stands over Rs 2.75 lakh crore. This figure does not include Strategic Systems.
Out of which a total of 45 different systems/ equipments worth over Rs 1,18,882.6 crore designed and developed by DRDO, have been approved for induction into the Services during the last five years. These systems include various types of platforms, Sonars, Radars, Software Defined Radios, Missile Systems, Gun Systems, Munitions, Bridging equipment etc.
This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Shripad Naik in a written reply to Shrimati Kanta Kardam in Rajya Sabha today.
SS/Nampi/DK/Savvy/MTJ/ADA
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Ministry of Culture
Stolen sculpture of Lord Hanuman belonging to Chola Period retrieved; handed over to Idol Wing, Tamil Nadu
The Stolen sculpture of Lord Hanuman belonging to Chola Period has been retrieved and handed over to the Idol Wing, Tamil Nadu.
The sculpture of Lord Hanuman was stolen from a Vishnu Temple, Shri Varatharaja Perumal, Pottaveli Vellur, Ariyalur district. It belongs to late Chola Period . It was documented by “French institute of Pondicherry” in the year 1961. The sculpture was handed over to High Commissioner of India in Canberra. The idol was returned to India in last week of February, 2023 and handed over to Idol Wing, Tamil Nadu as a case property on 18.04.2023.
Government of India is working towards safeguarding the country’s antiquarian heritage within the nation and instrumental in retrieving antiquities which were unlawfully taken abroad in the past. Till date 251 antiquities have been retrieved back from different countries, out of which 238 have been brought back since 2014.
Ministry of Science & Technology
A Rapid Response Regulatory enabling mechanism facilitated by Department of Biotechnology for COVID 19
The Department of Biotechnology has taken several proactive measures to streamline the biosafety regulation and to facilitate researchers and industries which are undertaking research and development in Recombinant DNA Technology and Hazardous Microorganisms.
1. Operationalization of Indian Biosafety Knowledge Portal. The Indian Knowledge Biosafety Portal launched in May, 2019 was made fully operationalized and now the Department is receiving all new applications through online portal only. This has made the whole process transparent and time bound.
2. Notification of Revised Simplified Guidelines on Import, Export and Exchange of GE Organisms and Product Thereof for R&D Purpose: The Department issued the Revised Guidelines in January, 2020 in which Institutional Biosafety Committee have been delegated authority to take decisions on applications of import export and exchange of GE organisms and product thereof for R&D purpose for RG1 and RG2 items.
3. Facilitation of Research and Development on COVID-19: Considering the emerging situations of spread of Coronavirus and with the understanding on requirement of rapid research and development for COVI-19, the Department has proactively taken several steps to facilitate researchers and industries involved in research on COVID19. DBT has issued following guidelines, orders and checklist on COVID 19:
- Rapid Response Regulatory Framework for COVID-19 to deal with application for development of vaccines, diagnostics, prophylactics and therapeutics has been notified on 20.03.2020
- DBT notified “Interim Guidance Document on Laboratory Biosafety to Handle COVID-19 Specimens” on 08.04.2020.
- IBSCs are allowed to conduct their meeting through video conferencing up to 30thJune, 2020.
- Rapid response regulatory framework for development of recombinant DNA COVID 19 vaccine was issued on 26.05.2020.
Ministry of Finance
CBDT Signs 95 Advance Pricing Agreements in FY 2022-23
The Central Board of Direct Taxes  has entered into a record 95 Advance Pricing Agreements  in FY 2022-23 with Indian taxpayers. This includes 63 Unilateral APAs  and 32 Bilateral APAs . With this, the total number of APAs since inception of the APA programme has gone up to 516, comprising 420 UAPAs and 96 BAPAs.
The year has been a record-breaking year in several ways. This year, CBDT recorded the highest ever APA signings in any financial year since the launch of the APA programme, signing a total of 95 APAs. This year, CBDT also signed the maximum number of BAPAs in any financial year till date. The BAPAs were signed as a consequence of entering into Mutual Agreements with India’s treaty partners namely Finland, the UK, the US, Denmark, Singapore, and Japan. A record of the largest number of single day signings in the history of the programme was also created with a total of 21 APAs signed on 24th March, 2023.
The APA Scheme endeavours to provide certainty to taxpayers in the domain of transfer pricing by specifying the methods of pricing and determining the arm’s length price of international transactions in advance for a maximum of five future years. Further, the taxpayer has the option to rollback the APA for four preceding years, as a result of which, tax certainty is provided for nine years. The signing of bilateral APAs additionally provides the taxpayers with protection from any anticipated or actual double taxation.
The APA programme has contributed significantly to the Government of India’s mission of promoting ease of doing business, especially for MNEs which have a large number of cross-border transactions within their group entities. CBDT appreciates the taxpayers for their cooperative attitude and for being equal partners in this programme.
Prime Minister's Office
PM appreciates enthusiasm for ‘PM Mementoes auction’
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has expressed happiness for the current enthusiasm for PM Mementoes auction . He urged all, specially youngsters, to have a look at the gifts being auctioned and gift them among family and friends.
The Prime Minister tweeted:
“I am delighted by the enthusiasm towards the PM Mementoes auction over the last few days. From books to art works, cups and ceramics to brass products, it is a whole range of gifts I have received over the years that are up for auction. pmmementos.gov.in/#/“
“The proceeds from the PM Mementoes auction will go to the Namami Gange initiative. I would urge you all, specially youngsters, to have a look at the gifts being auctioned and also gift it to your friends as well as family!”
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Distribution of Ayushman Bharat Cards
Services at Ayushman Bharat- Health & Wellness Centres  are free and universal to all individuals residing in the service area.
Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan ArogyaYojana  is an entitlement-based scheme for providing health cover up to Rs. 5 lakh per family per annum to around 10.74 crore poor and vulnerable families. No registration or enrolment of entitled beneficiaries is required for availing the benefits under AB-PMJAY.
However, in order to create awareness and facilitate easy availing of benefits, paper-based e-cards are being issued to the beneficiaries, after verifying their identity. The identification of beneficiaries is a continuous process and the responsibility of issuing AB-PMJAY e-cards lies with the States/UTs.
In Madhya Pradesh, around 83.92 lakh beneficiary families are entitled for benefits under AB-PMJAY and as on 02.03.2020, 1,40,63,887 individual beneficiaries have been verified under the scheme. State has been advised to issue e-cards to eligible beneficiaries in a mission mode.
The Minister of State , ShAshwini Kumar Choubey stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha here today.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
“Response of Developed Nations in Combating Climate Change Inadequate”: Dr Harsh Vardhan
Environment Minister’s Intervention at the 26th basic Ministerial meeting of Environment Ministers in Durban
India has said that the response of developed nations for greater action in combating climate change is inadequate. Makingan intervention at the 26th BASIC Ministerial Meeting of Environment Ministers in Durban today, Union Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Dr Harsh Vardhan said that the world is at a critical stage in combating climate change.
“We are at a very critical stage, both in our efforts to combat climate change and in the negotiations. There is an evident need for greater action and we find that the response of the developed countries is still not adequate,” Dr Harsh Vardhan pointed out. The Minister urged the developed countries need to take a leadership role in terms of mitigation and providing means of implementation to developing countries. “While we talk about our actions, it is equally important to emphasise that the ambition of the developing countries needs to be supported and sustained, predictable and adequate finance, technology and capacity-building support to be provided by the developed countries,” Dr Harsh Vardhan added.
The Minister told his counterparts from BASIC countries and Mr. Michal Kurtyka of Poland, who will take over as next COP 24 parties, that India has shown the vision and the political will to act. He said that the Prime Minister, ShriNarendraModi’s vision is to ensure sustainable development, while protecting the most vulnerable from the effects of climate change. Later, addressing a press conference, Dr Harsh Vardhan said that the BASIC group has decided to preserve the integrity of Paris Agreement, including the principles of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Equity.
Dr Harsh Vardhan reiterated his appeal to make joint efforts to create a societal movement in combating climate change through “Green Good Deeds”.
The Basic countries isa bloc of four countries – Brazil, South Africa, India and China, formed by an agreement on November 28, 2009. The four committed to act jointly at the Copenhagen climate summit.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 UPDATE
India reports 1.14 Lakh Daily New Cases in last 24 hours, lowest in 60 days
Declining trend sustained; Less than 2 Lakh Daily Cases since 10 successive days
India's Active Caseload drops below 15 Lakh; at 14,77,799 today
Active Cases decrease by 77,449 in last 24 hours
More than 2.69 crore persons have recovered from COVID infection across the country so far
1,89,232 patients recovered during last 24 hours
Daily Recoveries continue to outnumber Daily New Cases for 24th consecutive day
Steady rise in national Recovery Rate maintained; Recovery Rate increases to 93.67%
Weekly Positivity Rate currently at 6.54%
Fall in Daily Positivity Rate at 5.62% continues; less than 10% for 13 consecutive days
With substantially ramped up capacity, 36.4 cr total tests conducted
India crosses landmark of 23 cr vaccination coverage; 23.13 crore Vaccine Doses administered so far
Ministry of Labour & Employment
Career Counselling by NCS
The Ministry is implementing the National Career Service Project  to provide a variety of career related services in the country like job matching, career counselling, vocational guidance, information on skill development courses etc. There is a network of career counsellors on the National Career Service  Portal for providing the quality counselling services to the job seekers/candidates registered on the portal. Further, career counselling and vocational guidance is also provided through Model Career Centres that have been established in various District Employment Exchanges and institutions under the National Career Service Project. Till 30th June 2022, 1,57,989 counselling sessions have been booked/provided through NCS to help the jobseekers in making appropriate job choices.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Labour & Employment, Shri Rameswar Teli in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Defence
Rear Adm Tarun Sobti takes over as Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet
Rear Admiral Tarun Sobti, VSM took over the Command of the Eastern Fleet, the Sword Arm of the Eastern Naval Command, from Rear Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, AVSM, NM today. The change of guard took place at an impressive ceremony held on 23 February 2021 in Naval Base, Visakhapatnam.
Rear Admiral Tarun Sobti was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 01 July 1988 and is a specialist in Navigation and Direction. The Flag Officer is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, Collège Interarmées de Défense, Paris, France and College of Naval Warfare, Mumbai.
During his illustrious career spanning 32 years, he served as Navigating Officer of INS Kirpan, commissioning Navigating Officer of INS Mysore, Direction Officer on INS Viraat and Executive Officer of missile destroyer INS Delhi. His sea commands include those of missile vessel INS Nishank, missile corvette INS Kora and missile destroyer INS Kolkata of which he was the commissioning Commanding Officer.
His prestigious staff and operational appointments include those as Joint Director of Staff Requirements and Joint Director of Personnel at Naval Headquarters and Captain Work-Up at Local Work-Up Team . He also served as the Naval Attaché at Embassy of India, Moscow. Prior assuming command of the Eastern Fleet, the Flag Officer was Deputy Commandant and Chief Instructor of Indian Navy’s premier officer training establishment Indian Naval Academy at Ezhimala.
Over the past 12 months, the Eastern Fleet under the command of Rear Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan has maintained high level of combat readiness and undertaken various operational missions including Operation Samudra Setu towards repatriation of Indian citizens, Mission SAGAR providing Humanitarian Assistance to friendly foreign countries and Malabar 20. His tenure also saw the commissioning of INS Kavaratti, the indigenously built P28 class ASW corvette. He would be taking over as the Deputy Commandant of the prestigious tri-services institution National Defence Academy at Khadakvasla, Pune shortly.
Ministry of Finance
Shri Bijoy Kumar Kar new Chief Commissioner of GST, Central Excise & Customs, Bhubaneswar Zone
It is a matter of great pleasure to announce that Shri Bijoy Kumar Kar, IRS  has joined as Chief Commissioner of GST, Central Excise & Customs, Bhubaneswar Zone with effect from 07.07.2022. Before joining as Chief Commissioner, Shri Kar was working as Principal Commissioner of Bhubaneswar GST & Central Excise Commissionerate.
Shri Bijoy Kumar Kar S/o Shri Janardan Kar was born on 17.06.1963 and joined the department as Assistant Commissioner on 28.08.1989. During his long & chequered career in the department, he served in various capacities at various places throughout India namely Kolkata, Bangalore, Vizag, Hyderabad etc. During the 2018, he received the prestigious Presidential Award for his Specially Distinguished Record of Service. During his stint as Principal Commissioner, Bhubaneswar GST Commissionerate with additional charge Bhubaneswar Audit Commissionerate, both the Commissionerate performed exceedingly well. The Bhubaneswar Audit Commissionerate stood first in all India Annual Composite Grading for Financial Year 2020-21 for GST released by the Directorate General of Audit, New Delhi. The detection of tax evasion by Audit Commissionerate increased by 42.45% during the year 2021-22 compared to 2020-21. Detection to the tune of Rs. 559.93 Crs was made during FY 2021-22 whereas Rs. 393.07 Crs made during the FY2020-21. Similarly, recovery of tax increased by almost 700% during 2021-22 as compared to that of 2020-21.
Similarly, the Bhubaneswar GST Commissionerate achieved a GST revenue growth of 97.57% during the year financial year 2021-22 over FY 2020-21. Rs. 8458.04 Crs of GST revenue was realised during FY 2021-22 whereas Rs. 4281.07 Crs was realised during FY 2020-21. As a result of which growth of revenue of the in the Zone of Bhubaneswar, Odisha registered highest percentage of rate of growth amongst major revenue paying states of the country.
Under his leadership as Principal Commissioner, various outreach programmes under Azadi Ka Amrut Mahatsav  were taken up. New taxpayer facilitation centres namely GST Seva Kendra was opened at Bhubaneswar and various other locations. Also, various programmes, such as, Walkathon, Plantation of saplings, Yoga Sessions, seminar in various Schools & colleges, Mock Parliament on Anti-Drug Campaign by School children were also carried out.
Under the guidance & able leadership of Shri Bijoy Kumar Kar, IRS the then Principal Commissioner, Bhubaneswar GST Commissionerate, the celebration of iconic week under “Azadi Ki Amrit Mahostav” was organised successfully at Bhubaneswar to commemorate 75 years of Independence and the glorious history of its people, culture and achievements.
Shri Bijoy Kumar Kar, IRS, Chief Commissioner, Bhubaneswar Zone has extended his best wishes to all the stake holders for their whole hearted support and hope for such cooperation to continue in future too.
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Ministry of Home Affairs
Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah pays tributes to the great freedom fighter Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose on his 125th birth anniversary
Shri Amit Shah offered floral tributes at Netaji's portrait in Guwahati and paid homage to the freedom fighter
Subhash Babu was a brilliant student, born patriot, skilled administrator and organizer and a leader with unmatched fighting spirit, his courage and valour gave new strength to the Indian freedom movement
He organized the youth power of the country with his charismatic leadership in adversity
The entire nation will forever be indebted to Netaji's valour and indomitable fighting spirit
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has paid an unprecedented tribute to him by celebrating his birth anniversary as 'Parakram Diwas'
The 125th birth anniversary of Subhash Babu will be celebrated with great enthusiasm and gaiety across the country so that generations to come will remember Netaji's contribution towards the country for a long time
With this inspiration, millions of children will be able to contribute in the development of the country and make the nation Aatmanirbhar in the coming days
Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah paid tributes to the great freedom fighter Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose on his 125th birth anniversary. Shri Amit Shah offered floral tributes at the portrait of Netaji in Guwahati, Assam today and paid homage to the great hero of the freedom movement.
On this occasion, the Union Home Minister said that Subhash Babu was a brilliant student, born patriot, skilled administrator and organizer and a leader with unmatched fighting spirit. His courage and valour gave new strength to the Indian freedom struggle. He organized the youth power of the country with his charismatic leadership under adverse circumstances. Committed to the Independence movement, he travelled from Calcutta to Germany, a distance of more than 7,000 kilometers, by road and covered about 27,000 kilometers in a submarine, all of this reflecting Subhash Babu's indomitable courage.
Shri Amit Shah said that the entire nation will always remain indebted to Netaji's valour and unceasing struggle. The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has paid an unprecedented tribute to Netaji by celebrating his birth anniversary as 'Parakram Diwas'. My greetings to all the countrymen on Parakram Diwas Wishing all the countrymen the mighty day, the Union Home Minister said that the 125th birth anniversary of Subhash Babu will be celebrated with great enthusiasm and gaiety across the country so that generations to come will remember Netaji's contribution towards the country for a long time. Shri Amit Shah also said that with this inspiration, millions of children will be able to contribute in the development of the country and make the nation Aatmanirbhar  in the coming days.
Ministry of Labour & Employment
Smart Cards to Labourers
As per the Periodic Labour Force Survey  2017-18 carried out by the National Sample Survey Organisation of the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation, estimated 38 crore people are working as unorganised workers in the country.
Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri – Jan Arogya Yojana  was launched on 23rd September, 2018 subsuming the Rashtriya Swasthya Beema Yojana to provide Rs. 5 lakh health coverage per family for secondary and tertiary hospitalization free of cost to the eligible labourers in the unorganised sector as per the criteria identified from the Socio-Economic Caste Census  of 2011. This scheme is being implemented in all States/UTs except Delhi, Odisha and West Bengal. As on 29.03.2022, a total of 17.90 crore individuals have been verified and issued with smart cards.
All eligible beneficiaries are entitled to free healthcare services under AB PM-JAY from the day of the implementation of the scheme in their State/UT. Beneficiaries can visit the empanelled hospitals to verify their eligibility and avail healthcare services. The empanelled hospitals subsequently raise pre-authorization requests for the treatment proposed to be given to the verified beneficiaries.
Issuance of AB PM-JAY smart card is a continuous process based on the demand for services and eligibility criteria identified from the Socio-Economic Caste Census  of 2011. However, Government is making all-out efforts to scale-up the issuance of Ayushman cards across the country.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Labour & Employment, Shri Rameswar Teli in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.